The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-12-31
Esssnn Series tnr 1883.
FIRST QUARTER.
STUDIES In THE NEW TESTAMENT.
January 8, 1888.
Matthew xiv. 1921
THE DESERT PLACE.

BEYOND GALILEE.-When JESUS heard
of the execution of John the Baptist and the
surmise and anxiety of Herod concerning
himself, which were described in the last
Lesson, he withdrew from his dominions to a
retired and thinly populated district belong
ing to the Hierarchy of Philip, on the north
eastern shore of the Lake of Galilee, in or
adjacent to the town of Bethsaida (Luke tx.
10. See map. Here he would be safe from
the desperate fear of Hsrod. He frequently
resorted to the safer dominions of Philip,
and the region beyond the lake, to escape the
fury of his enemies xii. ID; XIV. 81, %; xvi.
13). About this time the apostles returned
from their itinerant ministry, and had again
attached themselves to their Master, and
were relating to him and to each other the
wonderful events of their ministry. JESUS
invited them to go with him into retirement.
Mark intimates that the retirement was on
account of the excited crowds which gathered
MARK vi. 81. The ministry of the apostles
had, no doubt, increased the popular excite
ment, and expectation of the immediate
reign of the Messiah. On this account also
the alarm of Herod would be increased, and
JESUS would be more in danger from him
and other enemies who sought his destruc-
ton JESUS and his disciples attempted to
go privately by boat, probably from Caper-
naum, or near, but their intentions we're dis
cerned by the observing, expectant and ex-
cited multitudes, who hurriedly went by land
around the northern end of the lake to the
evident place of their destination. The
probable distance across the lake was about
six miles, By the shore the distance from
Capernaum to the supposed scene of the Les
son is about twelve miles.
The Locality.
From the mouth of the Jordan plain ex-
tends along the eastern shore of the lake for
some three and half miles, gradually mar
rowing as the lake curves toward the noun
tain. This plain, while not equal to that of
Gennesaret on the other side, is mainly fer
tile, and was under careful cultivation; but
at its southern end the mountain comes so
near the lake as to make very retired local
ity; and on the lower part of the mountain
sides are beautiful grassy slopes. which an
swer to all the conditions of the narrative be-
fore us.-Dr BroGdus, Commentary on
Matthew
THE COMPASSION OF JEsUs.-The excit-
ed crowds were increased from the cities and
villages through which the journey was made,
and from the travellers to Jerusalem to at
tend the Passover, many of whom had heard
the preaching of JESUS and his disciples, and
witnessed their m arvelous powers of healing
(John vi. 2, ~. JESUS and his disciples seek
ing leisure, rowed, leisurely, we may pre-
sumo, across the lake. When they arrived
at the opposite shore, the crowds had already
begun to arrive Mark vi. 33). Though they
xuouId ba which ha couOht
JESUS was not disposed to repulse them or turn
them away; but was rather moved with com
passion, when he witnessed the eagerness
with which they sought his blessed ministry
It was another evidence of the religious neg
lect and spiritual destitution of the people.
Again he beheld them as sheep having no
shepherd (ix. 35; see Lesson Oct. 30), and
though he had sought rest and repose he be-
gan to minister unto them, teaching them
concerning the heavenly reign and healing
their sick. From Johns account John vi. 81
it appears that JESUS and the Apostles
assembled the sides of the mountain which
skirts the shore of the lake near where they
landed, and there as he sat and conversed
with his disciples, he beheld the gathering
crowds, which awakened his pity. The
CHRIST could find no place or opportunity
for rest or leisure. " The disciple is not
above his Master" in this respect. The ear
nest Christian can hardly find a time and
place of rest, eUen during uaeation or in
mountain retreats or at seaside resorts. The
needs of humanity are euerylOhere to a,Oahen
the sympathy of the compassionate Chris
tidn soul.